Requiem For An Assassin
by Barry Eisler
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Book Reviews of Requiem For An Assassin
Book Review: Excellent!
Summary: 5 Stars
Requiem For An Assassin is a fast-paced, thrill-a-minute novel with modern day happenings all woven together to produce one hell of a book. The book is about assassin-extraordinaire, John Rain, and his tug-of-war battle within himself regarding his profession and the role his friends play in his life. In the beginning of the book, Rain is living a somewhat quiet life in semi-retirement in Paris, not far from his girlfriend, Delilah. As Rain is starting to accept his new life, his best friend Dox (a sniper colleague) is kidnapped. The kidnapper, an old enemy of Rain, tells him that he has to kill three targets, and then Dox will be set free. Rain knows he is lying, but he has to buy time to help his friend. Rain slips back into the life without any problems, and he goes about doing whatever is necessary to help his friend, even though he knows he might be being set up to be eliminated. Will Rain and Dox survive, and if Rain survives, will he forever be lost to himself and the darkness that is within?
This book has it all: romance, action, adventure, cool gadgets and great characters. The plot is tight and the dialogue is excellent - funny in one scene, and cold/ruthless in another. Rain's emotional, internal struggle is palpable. If you want intense, pulse-pounding action mixed with a fair share of angst, this is the book to buy. I've read quite a few books this year, and this is definitely one of my favorites. I give Requiem For An Assassin my highest recommendation.
Book Review: A TOUGH AS NAILS ANTI HERO GOES SOFT!
Summary: 2 Stars
This is the 6th novel that Barry Eisler has written featuring assassin John Rain. In the first five Rain was a remorseless killing machine. He did what he had to do and never looked back.
As Requiem for an Assassin begins Rain has retired and is living in Paris with his girlfriend Delilah, a Mossad agent. Rain has discovered that he actually enjoys retirement. Then he gets a message that his partner and friend, Dox, has been kidnapped by rogue CIA agent Jim Hilger. Rain is told that his friend will be released if he does three jobs for Hilger.
Dox has saved Rain's life in the past, so the assassin sets out to save his friends life. And this is where the book runs into trouble. Eisler tries to humanize his hero by writing flashbacks to Rain's past. Eisler is trying to show how John Rain became the man he is today. But instead Rain comes off as getting old and going soft.
The characters are what makes the Rain novels so much fun. They are all very vividly brought to life. The most interesting being Dox, which is short for unorthodox.
Eisler is a talented writer and the book is very well written, it is the story that is flawed.
It will be interesting to see if Eisler brings John Rain again. This book feels like he is trying to wrap up the Rain series. If he does, hopefully Rain will be the tough anti hero of the five previous books. If Eisler doesn't bring Rain back again, maybe he will make Dox the hero of his next book.
Book Review: It's a novel - get lost in it.
Summary: 4 Stars
There have been plenty of reviews of this book that describe in detail what it's about, so I will focus on answering the question most people read reviews for-is it worth buying? I say yes. Some of the previous reviewers have complained about one or two facets of Eisler's work that the they find offensive (Rain is wussified, Eisler's portrayal of computer technology isn't realistic) and hone in on that one piece, ignoring the fact that this is a novel, a work of fiction, a group of characters in a world of fantasy. I probably enjoy realism more than the average reader and as a military man I found many parts of this novel surprisingly realistic and the other parts I took as fiction and let myself believe that they were possible. If there was a part I could have done without, it was the sex scene-it's just not the same in a book. If the movie version ever gets made, then leave it in by all means, but reading about sex just isn't my thing.
The bottom line is this is a good read if you're looking for something to fill quiet time or a long plane ride. It was very enjoyable and captivating, worthy of a comparison to Frederick Forsythe.
Book Review: Character Reigns with Rain
Summary: 5 Stars
Hilger a CIA operative Rain had crossed in a previous operation holds Dox captive, demanding that Rain complete a series of hits, or his friend dies. Rain realizes he is the intended target and plots his moves to turn the tables.
My first experience with a Barry Eisler novel was a pleasant surprise. In a time when some of my favorite thriller writers are turning to sparse prose; Eisler's John Rain novels plumb for depth of character, inner exploring conflict, character, and motivation. Sure, Requiem for an Assassin is tightly plotted. It isn't so much suspenseful as it is gripping. You have a sense that Rain can handle his own and get through any challenge he undertakes, no matter the stakes. The writing is rich and a rewarding read.
Book Review: I don't think I will miss Rain
Summary: 3 Stars
Well, guess I started at the end of the Rain books, not the first ones or I might have enjoyed this a little more...but probably not. It was very readable. However Rain is a cold blooded killer who doesn't question anything about who he kills, or figures out if there is any other way if as it turns out the victim isn't a bad guy at all.
So all of the 'philosophical' ramblings, if that is what they are have more to do with 'why am I such a killer' than checking out who I am killing. There have to be other ways to get around to saving a friend than committing murder.
So guess I won't back up and see if Rain actually took out only the really bad ones.